Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Neon Sign or Burning Bush

Have you ever asked God to send you a neon sign? Have you ever desperately cried out, "Lord, which way do I go?" Well we have. In fact, Hugh actually said one night back in January, "I wish God would just send down a neon sign that would tell us where to live. Here is the house I have for you." I realize buying a house may not seem earth shattering to some. But, it is a huge decision, and we were making it for the first time. And more importantly, we don't want to make a decision of that magnitude that is going to affect our whole family with out knowing that it is what the Lord has for us. What is His will for our family. Where does He want us to live. What does He want us to do with our finances?

We started looking at houses online around this time last year. We stalked, I mean followed a few of our favorites for several months, until we got to go down and look for ourselves during the Christmas holidays. We saw close to 30 houses in 5 days while we were there. And yes, it all started running together.

There was this one house that I had liked from the very beginning, before we ever went down, and as soon as I saw it, I fell totally in love with it. It was every bit as beautiful as I had imagined it would be from the few pictures we saw online. Hugh even liked it. In fact, it was the only house we both liked. So we decided to make a bid on it. I was ecstatic. But, later that night, I had the most foreboding feeling about our decision every time I thought about it, and I couldn't understand why. Something in the pit of my stomach just wasn't right. So, I prayed and asked God to help me understand why in the world I was feeling this way. And I truly felt like He was saying, "STOP. Don't do anything." I told Hugh what I was feeling and he was also having second thoughts and just didn't feel right about the decision. He told me he couldn't believe I was actually saying I felt the same way, because he knew how much I was in love with the house. And I told him, "I know, that's why I think this is from God, because there is nothing in me that doesn't want this house. But, I couldn't ignore this feeling. Have you ever had that panic ed feeling in the pit of your stomach that says, "Go and check on the children. Go now!" And you get there just in time before someone gets hurt. Some people will tell you that is a mother's intuition. I believe it is the hand of God. And I believe that's what it was, His Holy Spirit trying to impress upon us to sit tight. And so we did, with no further direction from God. I mean we felt nothing. Which is what led Hugh to wish for his neon sign or burning bush or what ever way God would choose to speak to us. And does He even speak to people like that anymore. Well, we would soon find out.

Fast Forward a few months. I had left the dream of that house behind, because I felt like His answer was no. I didn't realize His answer was wait. Last month, in March my friend Shelia was on spring break. She is a teacher. And it was also the week of her birthday. She traveled from Brandon up to Senatobia where her sister lives to spend a couple days and celebrate her birthday. They went to dinner at a local hibachi grill, and ended up at the same table as the couple who owned the house. They got to talking and realized they were both adoptive parents. Shelia adopted her son from Guatemala, and this couple is in the process of adopting a little girl from China. She is also pregnant and due with their son in June. She told Shelia that they were in Senatobia for a doctors' appointment. She said they were actually from Batesville, but, she really liked this one doctor there in Senatobia. It did make her nervous however that he might not make in time if she had a quick labor. Shelia told her, "Well, I have a doctor friend moving to your area. I'll have to give you his number in case you have any trouble." To which she replied, "Oh really, we have a house for sale if he is interested." -Do you see where this is going? Could it all be coincidence? Hmmm...did our friend just travel 150 plus miles and end up at the same table, at the same restaurant with this couple who owned the house we had wanted to buy? Before the couple left, the told Shelia no less than three times to tell us to just make them an offer. They have another house they want to buy in Memphis and they want to move into it by June before the baby comes. Is it just a coincidence that Hugh's residency ends here in Ohio in June? -She even told Shelia that if she could sell us her house, she'd give her the commission for it. Coincidence? Or was the Lord's hand in this from the very beginning? Was this our burning bush, or our neon sign? I don't know about you people, but, it gives me chills, and I'm claiming it. I believe that we asked the Lord earnestly from our hearts to guide our decision, and He didn't just show up, He showed up in a big way. Can I get a big ole AMEN?!

I'm going to do a couple of follow up posts on our story and how it has unfolded, and I want to share pictures. And I want to share about our beautiful little rental we've called home here for the last five years. I'm going to miss it. We brought both of our babies home from the hospital to this sweet little home, and it's going to be hard to say goodbye. Until then, I'll leave you with a snippet of what is to come. The foyer! Of course this is not our furniture. :) ~Blessings!

Oh I love this, Tiffany. And, more importantly, I love that you listened to what The Holy Spirit was telling you and that you waited on God. He always does above & beyond what we hope or ask when we let Him lead and we follow. You did!!!! How wonderful :o)

Dreaming of moonlight and magnolias, the sweet smell of kudzu growing wild. I see fields of snow white cotton and the trees dippin Spanish moss on the bayou. I hear Sunday church bells ring, time for the Gospel and a little hymn sing, sending spirits soaring high.Then we gather round mama’s table with a glass of sweet ice tea, squash, corn bread, a mess of greens and chicken or catfish country fried. Richly blessed by friends, family, faith, a touch of God’s grace, and yes~ my mama raised me right. With sugar and spice, a whole lotta nice, oh and a little southern sass.~Tiffany Taylor

How Do I Love Thee?...Let Me Count The Ways! ALL THE THINGS I LOVE ABOUT MY SWEET SWEET HUSBAND!

I'm so proud of Hugh. He has dreamed for years of becoming a doctor. And I've had the privledge of seeing that dream come true. He has worked incredibly hard to get where he is, and we've made lots of sacrifices. But, it has been worth every second.

I love how helpful he can be. If we see an accident on the side of the road often times he will stop and offer to help. This is not an everyday occurance. Nor does it happen everytime we see an accident. But, I'm glad the Lord has given me a small insight into his work.

He can still make me blush when he gives me a compliment. Just the other day, we were eating lunch together, and I looked up to see him staring at me. He said you look very pretty today. It gave me butterflies. hee-hee

I love getting cards from him. He always writes the sweetest things in his cards. They are like little love letters, I've collected over the years. I treasure them.

He is a great conversationalist. We can still sit and talk for hours.

He is very loyal and protective of his loved ones, family and friends.

He is a really good friend, and a good friend to have.

I love exploring new places with him. One thing we both like to do is visit old grave yards and try to find the oldest tomb stone there.

I love to go for rides with him. We just ride and listen to music. We have a lot of the same taste in music. And he's actually introduced me to a lot of things I probably would have never given a chance, because I thought it just wasn't my style. Before we had children, we wouild ride in the country, music blaring and sing at the top of our lungs. -Good times!

He is great at surprises! He'll do little things here and there, like wash and gas up my car, or bring me flowers unexpectedly. And he sometimes surprises the kids and I with a new fish for our tank.- Just little things really, but the brighten my day!

I love how giving he is. Just the other day our friends Glen and Heidi were telling us about how their cell phone company couldn't fix their phone. Well, we just happened to still have our phones from when we were with the same company, and Hugh offered them his old phone, charger, and car charger. That really touched my heart. He can be so thoughtful sometimes.

I love how silly we can be together sometimes.

I love how he calls from work just to check on us, or say he's been thinking about us and missing us.

I love Hugh's lips. I 've always said he has rosebud lips.

Hugh knows how much I love Fank Sinatra. He could care less about old blue eyes. But, I can't help it, I just love his voice. So, yesterday, when he came home from work, I was busy doing dishes, and he found a radio station/website that plays all Sinatra's classics. And he put it on while he read and I tiddied up the kitchen. What a sweetheart!

Cliche or not, I love that he is the tall, dark and handsome type. Very easy on the eyes....What can I say, I'm a lucky lady!

I love that he wants me to stay up with him after he gets home so we can visit or watch a movie together. It makes me feel special. And it lets me know he still really wants to be with me.

I love cooking with my husband. We used to try out new recipes together all the time, before we had kids. Now it's a blessing to get to eat a meal together as a family. But, it's fun to be in the kitchen with him, cooking and visiting.

I love the kindness my husband shows for others. It makes me proud to see him help an older gentleman carry his groceries to the car, or when he gives a little old lady his arm to help her up an icy curb and into a building in the snow.

I love how he holds my hand when we pray in church. I hope that never changes.

I still get butterflies when he comes in the door after long day of work. Especially when he scoops up the babies into his arms and covers them with hugs and kisses.~How can you not just fall in love all over again!

I love how Hugh has to go in to look at the babies at least three times every night, while they sleep. I can see how much he adores them just watching him look at them.

I Love how he listens and hugs me when I need to share something that is on my heart.

I love how Hugh runs back in to kiss me goodbye, before he leaves for work.

The Love Of My Life

Our Children

About Me

I am a Southern Belle living in the heart of the Deep South. I love the Lord, and I'm happily married with two beautiful children. I am drawn to all things traditional, cultural, aesthetic, and domestic. I also love to entertain. So Welcome!